He’s not world-class’ — Steven Gerrard writes off Man Utd star after £50m Chelsea transfer

Liverpool great Steven Gerrard has raised doubts about Manchester United’s decision to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea, questioning whether the Brazilian midfielder has the quality required to help the club challenge for the biggest honours in football.

In comments reported by Metro on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Gerrard expressed reservations about United’s reported £50 million investment in Santos, suggesting that the midfielder may not be the right profile for a team hoping to compete consistently for the Premier League and Champions League titles.

Santos arrived at Old Trafford during the summer transfer window but has yet to establish himself as a regular member of Michael Carrick’s starting eleven. The 21-year-old has started only one of Manchester United’s opening six Premier League fixtures, raising questions about his immediate role in the squad and the expectations attached to his transfer fee.

Speaking on The Overlap, Gerrard said he was unconvinced that spending £50 million on Santos was the correct decision for United. The former England captain argued that a club with ambitions of challenging Europe’s leading sides must have midfielders capable of performing at an exceptional level on a consistent basis.

Gerrard specifically highlighted the demands of facing elite opponents such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. In his view, Manchester United need midfield players who can maintain a world-class standard in the most difficult matches, rather than simply demonstrate promise or produce occasional impressive performances.

His assessment also extended to Kobbie Mainoo, whom he acknowledged as a talented footballer. However, Gerrard stopped short of placing the young English midfielder among the world’s elite, indicating that United still need greater quality and consistency in the middle of the pitch.

Bruno Fernandes was the only Manchester United midfielder Gerrard identified as currently operating at a world-class level. His comments suggest that, despite the presence of several promising players, he believes the club lacks the depth of elite midfield talent required to compete with the strongest teams in domestic and European competitions.

To underline the difference, Gerrard referred to previous generations of Manchester United players, including Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. Those former stars helped establish a high standard at Old Trafford, and Gerrard believes the present midfield group has considerable ground to make up before it can be compared with those celebrated figures.

Santos’ limited involvement continued when he remained an unused substitute during United’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham. The result left Carrick’s side in 12th place in the Premier League standings, adding to the pressure on the team to improve its performances.

Gerrard’s criticism places Santos under further scrutiny as Manchester United seek to rebuild their midfield and return to challenging for major trophies. However, with the Brazilian still adjusting to his new surroundings, his long-term contribution will ultimately depend on whether he can earn more playing time and demonstrate the consistency required at one of England’s most demanding clubs.